THE WILD SPORTS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

Unusual copy with the plates hand coloured. 

Second edition: 387 pages, tinted lithographic frontispiece, folding map ‘Exhibiting the relative positions of the emigrant farmers and the native tribes, May 1837’ compiled by the author with the route of his travels outlined in red, 6 lithographic plates, recent half leather with green title labels on the spine, dark green cloth sides, fore-edges uncut. 

All the plates are hand coloured. This was probably done when the volume was taken apart in preparation for rebinding. The binding is of uncertain date but is probably post 1945 as the green title labels on the spine are of a synthetic material. New tissue guards were added with dabs of glue which unfortunately has discoloured (see illustrations) resulting in brown marks near the gutters. The contents are in good condition and the half title is present. 

This edition is usually called the Second Edition or sometimes the First London Edition. The First Edition, of which there are two issues, was published by the Bombay Mission Press in India in 1838. Three more London editions followed each with hand coloured plates. Edward C. Tabler comments in Africana Notes and News (June 1956 – Vol. 12, No. 2, page 63), ‘The text of this edition is not as complete as those of the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th editions, These three chapters have been omitted, and they appear in the other editions: “Sketch of the Emigration Resumed”; “Fall of Uys in   an Abortive Invasion”; and “Demolition of the Zooloo Nation.” One other peculiarity is that, in copies in the “as-issued” state, either the plate “Departure from Mosega” or “Hunting at Meritsane” may occupy the position as frontispiece. The former is listed as facing page 111, the later page 71. Apparently the binders thought there should be a frontispiece, though none is indicated. It was published at 10s. 6d.’ In none of the references (Mendelssohn, A South African Bibliography, Abbey, Tabler) are hand coloured plates called for and we have none noted in our records which date from 1958.